CITY stopper David James says he will not quit international football - despite being dropped after his Copenhagen horror show.

James let in four goals during the second half after coming on as a substitute for England in the friendly with Denmark earlier this month.

And after being singled out for criticism in some quarters of the media, James - and Chelsea defender Glen Johnson - have been axed from Sven Goran Eriksson's squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Northern Ireland.

But the City keeper said he would not end his international career, despite the snub.

"If there is any chance of a recall I will not give up hope," he wrote in the Times.

"As long as I feel I am playing well for Manchester City, then I will be available for selection."

Eriksson diplomatically said he had spoken to James, and that he had not been permanently excluded from the international scene.

"I have spoken to David James and explained to him that, on this occasion, I think it's best not to select him," the England coach said.

"He has always been extremely professional for me and I have assured him that the door is not closed, and that I will be monitoring his form at Manchester City very closely.

"Chris Kirkland is a brilliant prospect who has suffered badly with injuries, but he has now started playing regularly again, so I feel the time is right to have a good look at him."